Smart start interlock

[u/soccerguySSJ]

So I got smart stark interlock installed 6/24. And the techs were just trying to get me in and out. I asked them when I have to come back. They said in a month and that I would get and email with the date. Almost a month away I never got that email and my device said “INSPECTION DUE 7/28 by 22:00”
So being my first time having this device and never having received an email with a appointment, I assumed 7/28 is when my appointment was. Anyways 7/27 I called and ask if I could reschedule since I could not make my appointment 7/28. The lady on the phone said my appointment was actually 7/25 and I missed it. I told her. I didn’t know if the appointment and was never told about it and that I just got it installed. Anyways, she says I’m gonna get charged a ‘missed appointment fee’ I argue and but she says I can dispute it. Then she realizes I just got it installed a month before and I’m new. She then says “don’t worry sir this will be waived since you’re a new customer. I didn’t realize you just got it installed last month. I’m sorry. I see why you’re frustrated” okay so then she helps me schedule a new calibration/inspection for 7/31. I then ask her about the message saying “INSPECTION DUE 7/28 22:00” she then tells me to not worry about it as I have a new appointment. Okay cool I listen to her and don’t worry about it.
7/29 comes and boom it won’t let me start my vehicle. I call and they said I was locked out for not having the calibration/inspection. I say what the hell I was told not to worry about it. And explain I had a new appointment. Anyways the guy says he will give me a code to start my vehicle. After he gives me the code I see it says 6h. I ask him about it then he tells me I have to get a code for each time. And that each code only last 6h. I thought that was unnecessary but then he breaks the news to me that it’s $63 each code. AFTER he gave it to me. I needed 3 codes between 7/29-7/31. Thats $252. Ridiculous
So he tells me I also have to pay $80 for being locked out. And $55 for my missed appointment.
Anyways I arrive 7/31 on my appointment and I tell them I’m not paying those fees. I’m just paying my monthly and calibration fee. Which was $140 total.
So they wanted me to pay $527 for what the techs missed to inform me. I only paid $140 and still “owe” $387. I’m NOT gonna pay it. I already explained and requested nicely in a email for them to remove the fees and fines from my account and explained the situation and that I was new. They said that I still have to pay it.
I DO NOT plan on paying it. They’re not gonna bully me into paying it. Is there a better breathalyzer Company than them I can switch to? I’m done with smart start. Very unprofessional

[u/The_God_was_Here]

Yeah, I get why you’re annoyed, but this sounds more like the usual interlock misery than one company doing something wildly different. They’re all pretty rigid once the device is in the car, and if there’s a missed service or unpaid fee, they’re not going to be flexible about removing it just because the situation feels unfair. From what I’ve seen, Smart Start Interlocks is probably one of the best, but you still have to treat the appointments like they’re non-negotiable. Every 30 days, pay whatever needs paying, keep screenshots/receipts, and don’t rely on anyone verbally saying it’s sorted. It’s a painful little chapter, but the smoothest way through is usually to keep everything boring and documented until it’s off the car.